Skyscraper escaper

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an emergency descent device for descending from an elevated location. The device, which is adapted to receive and slide down on a metal cable, comprises an elongated U-shaped member which fits over the cable. A seat is provided on the bottom of the U-shaped member upon which the operator of the device is seated. The device further includes a spring loaded descent control handle which is operably connected to a cable clamp positioned at the top of the U-shaped member whereby the operator controls his rate of descent by releasing and re-applying the clamping force supplied to the cable.

United States Patent 1 Brunette et al.

[ SKYSCRAPER ESCAPER [76] inventors: Eugene J. Brunette, 237 ChristianaDrive, Marrero, La. 70072; Nathaniel D. Trosclair, I I5] Avenue D,Westwego, La. 70094 22 Filed: Oct.24, 1974 21 Appl. NO.I 517,751

1,766,566 6/1930 Tucker 182/7 Dec. 23, 1975 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P.Machado Attorney, Agent, or FirmCalvin J. Laiche [57] ABSTRACT Thepresent invention provides an emergency descent device for descendingfrom an elevated location. The device, which is adapted to receive andslide down on a metal cable, comprises an elongated U-shaped memberwhich fits over the cable. A seat is provided on the bottom of theU-shaped member upon which the operator of the device is seated. Thedevice further includes a spring loaded descent control handle which isoperably connected to a cable clamp positioned at the top of theU-shaped member whereby the operator controls his rate of descent byreleasing and reapplying the clamping force supplied to the cable.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 SKYSCRAPER ESCAPERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with emergencydescent devices. more particularly to an emergency descent deviceadaptable for use with a descent cable. the pres ent device beingoperably attached thereto and upon which it is allowed to slidedownwards at a rate controlled by the operator.

Emergency escape devices utilizing a mechanical device in cooperationwith a strand of webbing or similar material under the control of theescaping person is old and well known in the arts, for example. see US.Pat. No. 3.799.287. These prior art devices are generally characterizcdas being somewhat complex in their mechanical design, as well asdifficult to use by the operator.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency escapedevice for use of descending from dangerous locations, such as a burninghigh rise apartment or office building. Among the many advantages andfeatures of the present invention is the fact that it is simplyconstructed and very easy to maintain and operate. Moreover. it isrelatively inexpensive and a building could be equipped with a multitudeof the present devices at a relatively low initial investment. The abovetogether with other features and advantages of the instant inventionwill be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the details ofconstruction and operation of the present emergency descent device asshown in the draw ng and described in the ensuing detailed disclosure ofits preferred embodiment which is particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a better understanding of the nature andobjects of the invention. reference should be had to the followingdrawing. taken in conjunction with the detailed description thereof. Inthe drawing, synonomous reference numerals are employed throughout inthe various views to refer to identical components.

FIG. 1 in the drawing represents an isometric view of the presentskyscraper escaper showing it from its back side.

FIG. 2 in the drawing represents a sectional view taken along the lineAA of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 depicts a partial cut away side elevational view of the presentemergency descent apparatus showing the relationship of its variouscomponents in a descent operation.

FIG. 4 of the drawing depicts a partial cut away side clevational viewof the present emergency descent apparatus showing the relationship ofvarious of its components in a stop position.

FIG. 5 of the drawing represents a partial cut away view of the brakingcomponents of the present emergency descent apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Referring to FIG. I of thedrawing. the present emergency descent device I0 comprises the U-shapedor channel member 11 which is positioned in an essentially verticalposition during use as shown in the drawing. The member II can beconstructed of any suitable rigid material, preferably steel. capable ofwithstanding the normal forces imposed thereon as a factor of the loadcreated by its human passenger. While the member II can actually be ofany suitable cross sectional design capable of withstanding the tensionand torsional forces involved. it is preferably open on at least oneside so as to readily allow the cable 12 to be threaded therein. Themember II also serves to protect its human passenger from any injury dueto abrasion or heat of friction by contract with the cable 12.

The seat I3 is provided upon which a human operator positions himself.The seat 13 is operably connected to the main support member II byvirtue of the hinge or swivel 14, one half of the hinge 14 being rigidlyaffixed to the seat 13 and the other half being rigidly affixed to themember ll, being pivotly connected to each other by virtue of the pinconnector 15. By such structure, the seat 13 is allowed to pivot aboutthe pin 15 whereby the seat I3 can be collapsed upward against the mainsupport member I I for ease of storage and handling. The seat 13 isprovided with the stop member 16 which is rigidly fastened to theunderside of the seat 13 and butts against the inside surface of themain support member 11 when the seat 13 is in a down or operableposition as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing.

As also shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the present emergency descentdevice I0 further comprises the braking mechanism comprising the curvedelongated hinge brake handle 17. The top end of the handle 17 is rigidlyaffixed to the brake hinge member 18 which in turn is pivotly connectedto the left hand L-shaped rail extension [9 of the main support memberII. The member l8 has a bottom leg portion which is ofa width sufficientto nestle within the inside confines of the U-shaped member 11. By suchan arrangement. the cable 12 is held in confinement once the member 18is closed down upon it. The handle and binge assembly 17 and 18 ispivotly connected to the extended brake portion [9 of the member II byvirtue of the high tensile strength bolt or pin means 20. The brakehinge member 18 is generally fabricated of a rigid high strengthmaterial such as steel which is readily weldable for reasons brought outhereinafter. The handle 17 is made of a flexible tough resilientmaterial such as a glass reinforced plastic material since it must beable to flex during operation as explained in detail below. Referringspecifically to FIG. 5 in the drawing, the braking mechanism includesthe braking surfaces 21, 22 and 23 which are extremely hard surfacesprovided at the main points of wear. The surfaces 2], 22 and 23 aregenerally welded onto the respective base members ll and I8, forexample, utilizing a high strength carbide welding rod or similarmaterial having an extremely high Brinell or Rockwell hardness number.As can be appreelated from the arrangement depicted in FIG. 5 of thedrawing, as the handle 17 is shoved inwards, that is, in a clockwisedirection. the brake hinge member 18 is caused to rotate inwards alsowhereby the surfaces 23 and 22 are brought together to thereby impose aclamping action on the cable 12. The position of the surface 23 isslightly lower or beneath that of the surface 22 to thereby jam thecable 12 between those surfaces. In such manner. the cable 12 actuallyserpentines across the surfaces to insure a greater degree of frictionalcontact and restrainment. This operable relationship is further shown inFIG. 4 of the drawing which depicts the present descent device in astopped or nondescent condition. The rail extension portion 19 of themain support member I I is provided with the hardened 3 surface 21 so asto prevent undue wearing of the inner leg portion 24 of the portion 19.Thus, the cable 12 contacts only these various hardened surfaces at itsvarious points of high frictional contact with the present descentdevice.

Referring together to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the lower portion of theflexible handle 17 is provided with the spring loaded retainingmechanism 25 which serves to retain the handle 17 in its operableposition as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. I of the drawingillustrates the handle 17 in a detached position preparatory toinserting the cable 12 within the upright main support channel memberI]. This is accomplished by raising the handle 17 upwards in acounterclockwise direction till such time that the brake hinge member 18clears the confines of the channel member II whereby the cable 12 can bethreaded through the opening 26, beneath the hinge member 18 andextended downwards within the U-shaped channel member ll. After soinstalling the present device upon the cable 12, the handle I7 isrotated arcuately downwards in a clockwise direction and the lockingmechanism 25 snapped into place, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of thedrawing. In FIG. 2, the channel member II is provided with the elongatedslots positioned in its side walls extending parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the channel member I]. The slots 27 and 28 areprovided for receiving the restraining members 29 and 30 respectively.The members 29 and 30 upon being compressed toward each other arethereupon allowed to slide within the channel member ll and uponattaining the depth of the grooves 27 and 28, spring outward therebyrestraining the handle 17 within the channel 11. The members 29 and 30are constantly urged outward by virtue of the compression spring means31 operably positioned between said members. The members 29 and 30 arerestrained within the handle 13 by virtue of the restraining sleeve 32which is provided with the lip portion 33. Conversely, the members 29and 30 are provided with the enlarged portions 34 which are of adiameter greater than the diameter of the lip 33 of the sleeve 32. Bysuch an arrangement, the members 29 and 30 are allowed to becomecompressed inwards thereby fitting within the channel member 11,however, upon reaching the depth of the slots 27 and 28, spring outwardsto thus confine the handle 17 within the channel 11 for the reasonsbrought out below. The sleeve 32 is generally fabricated of a metal, aswell as the pins 29 and 30. The channel member 11 in the vicinity of theslots 27 and 28 is swaged open slightly, that is, the top edge of itsextended leg portions are rolled outwards, so as to provide a slanted orconverging housing whereby upon compressing the handle 17 within thechannel ll, the pins 29 and 30 are thereupon automatically shovedinwards by virtue of the slanted portion 35 and 36.

By way of operation, a building would normally be equipped with variouscables 12 which could be strategically connected to the exterior of abuilding hidden from view by virtue of some convenient architecturaldesign, or, the cable can be maintained on a reel and paid out of aparticular storage device located on the roof of the building or out ofawindow. In any event, an operator of the present emergency descentdevice would first string the cable 12 through the channel member 11 inthe manner discussed in detail above. Thereupon, he would depress thehandle 17 downward until the locking mechanism 25 snaps into placewithin the slots or grooves 27 and 28. This is conveniently LIIperformed by the operator grabbing the handle 37 which is rigidlyaffixed to the flexible member 17 and pulling it inwards. FIG. 4illustrates the normal position of the handle 17 relative to the mainsupport member 11. As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, the handle 17 isbowed only sulTicient enough to allow the locking mechanism 27 to snapwithin the lower portion of the slots 27 and 28. In such position, thehandle 17 causes the brake hinge member 18 to jam the cable I2 withinthe braking surfaces 22 and 23 whereby the present descent device 10 isfrictionally restrained on the cable 12. In such position, the operatorcan then take his position upon the device by sitting upon the seat 13and holding on to the handle 37. The operator is thus now in a positionto descend. This is accomplished by the operator shoving the handle 37away from the member 11, that is, away from his person, whereby theflexible handle 17 is caused to bend outwards as shown in FIG. 3 of thedrawing. This action in turn causes the brake hinge member 18 toarcuately rotate outwards which in turn releases the frictional grippingaction applied to the cable 12 between the braking surfaces 22 and 23.The device then slides downward along the cable 12 due to gravity. Itcan thus be appreciated that the extent of slippage of the cable 12between the surfaces 22 and 23 can be conveniently controlled by theoperator whereby his rate of descent is so governed. As the operatorshoves outwards on the handle 17, the locking mechanism 25 slides withinthe grooves 27 and 28, the handle 17 being restrained from being shovedoutwards to too great ofa distance by virtue of the locking mechanism25, being restrained within the upper portion of the slots 27 and 28 asshown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, In other words, the length of the slots27 and 28 are determined such that the handle 17 can only be shovedoutwards sufficient so as to allow the cable 12 to just barely passbetween the braking surfaces 22 and 23. This prevents the operator fromgreatly fluctuating his rate of descent, that is, from descending in apattern of extremely fast intervals followed by spasmodic violentjerking stops which would tend to alarm the operator. Rather, it isintended that the handle may be shoved outwards thereby allowing more orless a gradual sliding action consisting at most of a series of minorspasmodic jerking actions. This mode of operation is especiallydesirable in light of the fact that the operator due to fear of height,would be scared to greatly shove the handle 17 outwards, but rather,would invariably prefer to move downwards in slight increments with asmall resulting jerking action rather than at large intervals followedby violent stops. This mode of operation also minimizes the frictionalwear and tear between the various components of the present device andis additionally preferred fro that reason.

It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that there are changesand modifications that can be made in the above device as well as in itsmode of operation without departing from the true scope and spirit ofthe present invention. For example, the various materials ofconstruction can be varied considerably without affecting the primaryintent and purpose of the present invention. The member 11 can befabricated of various well known rigid materials, generally metals. suchas steel, so as to insure a high strength compact product material wouldbe appropriate. Moreover, the particular dimensions of the variouscomponents of the present emergency descent apparatus are not criticalas long as their size and shape are determined and fixed relative toeach other so as to provide the above described mode of operation.Additionally, as explained above, the braking components of the presentdevice must be arranged relative to each other so as to allow the cable12 to be threaded within the channel member ll, while also providing theproper spacing of the braking surfaces 22 and 23. Additionally, theextent of how provided in the handle member 17 relative to the positionand dimensions of the slots 27 and 28 are to be determined as a functionof the relative dimensions of the positioning of the brake flange 18relative to the opening 26 together with the positioning and spacing ofthe braking surfaces 22 and 23. Conversely, the external shape and sizeof the main support member ll, together with its related appurtenances,is to be de signed so that it can conveniently receive an average sizehuman being, the seat 13 and handle 37 being operably spaced relative toeach other so as to accomodate the average human operator.

In light of the above details, it can be appreciated by one skilled inthe art that among the many features and advantages of the instantinvention is the fact that more than one of the present emergencydescent device can be utilized on any given descent cable at aparticular time, unlike the prior art device of US. Pat. No. 3,799,287which provides for only one device to be utilized per descent cable orwebbing. Thus, the pres ent escape device allows faster emergencyevacuation of a building for the same number of descent cables.

In light of the above, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the artthat many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scopeof our inven tive concept as disclosed herein, and accordingly, sincemany such modifications may be made in our embodiment as disclosed indetail herein in accordance with the descriptive requirements of thelaw, it is to be understood that the details of our inventive conceptare to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.Therefore, what we intend to encompass within the ambit of our inventionis that as set forth and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

What we claim as our invention is:

l. Skyscraper Escaper means comprising:

a. an elongated member shaped to house cable means which extendstherethrough along its longitudinal axis and provided with a slot alongits length through which the cable means passes;

b. elongated bowed hand brake means pivotally connected at one of itsends to said elongated brake member in a spaced apart relationshipadjacent to said slot provided therein so as to provide a clampingaction upon the cable means passing there- 6 through and its other endbeing operably attached to said elongated member during a descendingoperation whereby pressure upon said elongated bowed hand brake meansreleases the clamping 5 action exerted upon the cable means; and

c. seat means operably attached to said elongated member. 2. Theskyscraper escaper means of claim I further characterized in that:

said hand brake means comprises a handle portion fabricated of aresilient material. 3. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 2 furthercharacterized in that:

said elongated member is provided with slots in its sides extendingparallel to the longitudinal axis of said member positioned toward itsbottom portion; and said handle of said hand brake means is providedwith retaining means adapted to fit within the slots of said elongatedmember. 4. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 3 further characterizedin that:

said retaining means of said hand brake means comprises a pair of springloaded restraining members operably positioned within the end of thehandle of said hand brake means whereby said restraining members may becompressed inwards within said handle for insertion within saidelongated member upon compression of the same and subsequently releasedwithin the slots provided in said elongated member to thereby restrainthe handle of said hand brake means within said elongated member. 5. Theskyscraper escaper means of claim 4 further characterized in that:

the portion of said elongated member and the brake hinge member of saidhand brake means which contacts the cable means are provided withhardened surfaces to thereby minimize the effect of wear between saidmembers. 6. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 5 furthercharacterized in that:

said handle is fabricated of a fiber-glass reinforced resilient resinousmaterial. 7. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 6 furthercharacterized in that:

the handle of said hand brake means is provided with transverselyextending handle bars to facilitate gripping by an operator. 8. Theskyscraper escaper means of claim 7 further characterized in that:

said elongated member is U-shaped; and said seat means is hingedlyattached to said U-shaped member so as to allow said seat means to befolded upwards for convenient storage of the assembly when not in use.

1. Skyscraper Escaper means comprising: a. an elongated member shaped tohouse cable means which extends therethrough along its longitudinal axisand provided with a slot along its length through which the cable meanspasses; b. elongated bowed hand brake means pivotally connected at oneof its ends to said elongated brake member in a spaced apartrelationship adjacent to said slot provided therein so as to provide aclamping action upon the cable means passing therethrough and its otherend being operably attached to said elongated member during a descendingoperation whereby pressure upon said elongated bowed hand brake meansreleases the clamping action exerted upon the cable means; and c. seatmeans operably attached to said elongated member.
 2. The skyscraperescaper means of claim 1 further characterized in that: said hand brakemeans comprises a handle portion fabricated of a resilient material. 3.The skyscraper escaper means of claim 2 further characterized in that:said elongated member is provided with slots in its sides extendingparallel to the longitudinal axis of said member positioned toward itsbottom portion; and said handle of said hand brake means is providedwith retaining means adapted to fit within the slots of said elongatedmember.
 4. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 3 further characterizedin that: said retaining means of said hand brake means comprises a pairof spring loaded restraining members operably positioned within the endof the handle of said hand brake means whereby said restraining membersmay be compressed inwards within said handle for insertion within saidelongated member upon compression of the same and subsequently releasedwithin the slots provided in said elongated member to thereby restrainthe handle of said hand brake means within said elongated member.
 5. Theskyscraper escaper means of claim 4 further characterized in that: theportion of said elongated member and the brake hinge member of said handbrake means which contacts the cable means are provided with hardenedsurfaces to thereby minimize the effect of wear between said members. 6.The skyscraper escaper means of claim 5 further characterized in that:said handle is fabricated of a fiber-glass reinforced resilient resinousmaterial.
 7. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 6 furthercharacterized in that: the handle of said hand brake means is providedwith transversely extending handle bars to facilitate gripping by anoperator.
 8. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 7 furthercharacterIzed in that: said elongated member is U-shaped; and said seatmeans is hingedly attached to said U-shaped member so as to allow saidseat means to be folded upwards for convenient storage of the assemblywhen not in use.